The growth of the Labour Movement was made possible by the stability of the country under PM Lee’s stewardship, Sister Mary pointed out. “I’ll always remember his quote that ‘tripartism is our national treasure’; we must never take it for granted and we must always grow it.”

In his speech, Brother Lee pointed out that the Labour Movement has been with the PAP “since the very beginning, long before independence. Our symbiotic partnership was born in a crucible of fire,” he remarked.

Tripartism played a vital role in this journey. The crucial turning point was NTUC’s Modernisation Seminar in 1969, which was when the old adversarial approach, unions versus employers, was replaced with “a cooperative, tripartite strategy, based on trust and confidence”.

“As Mr Lee Kuan Yew said at the NTUC’s 50th anniversary in 2011, I quote him: “Growth is meaningless unless it is shared by the workers, shared not only directly in wage increases but indirectly in better homes, better schools, better hospitals, better playing fields and generally a healthier environment for families to bring up their children.”

“Today, in the 70th year of the PAP’s founding, and after 20 years as your PM, I can tell you, in all good conscience, that both the NTUC and the PAP have delivered on our promises to Singaporeans. Therefore, once again, thank you very much, NTUC!”

The unions, Brother Lee said, will play an even more crucial role in the future as Singapore deals with geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

The Labour Movement received another “well done” from Brother Lee for transforming themselves to remain relevant and for reaching beyond blue-collar workers, to look after graduates, professionals, platform workers, and the self-employed. 45% of NTUC members are now PMEs.

Among the many good work acknowledged by Brother Lee was the Labour Movement’s forming “Company Training Committees (CTCs) in hundreds of firms, to plan and execute training and upgrading programmes together with the employers”.

NTUC also “found ways to be hip, in order to reach out to young workers, even while they are still in post-secondary institutions, through nEbO (nobody Enjoys being Ordinary)”.

“You pushed for stronger support for families and caregiving, and greater gender equality, and showed by example – you elected three female NTUC Presidents, and you nurtured the first female President of the Republic of Singapore,” he said.

Singapore has built a “strong foundation for future generations: with adequate reserves to tide over extreme difficulties; with international respect that gives us a seat at the table; with a cohesive society that hangs together in the darkest hours; and a vibrant and inclusive economy that creates opportunities and hope for all Singaporeans”.

“Make the most of these advantages. Never throw them away. Stay united, think long term, and maintain our political stability. That is the way forward for Singapore,” Brother Lee underscored.

In one voice, the Labour Movement joined Brother Lee and the tripartite partners in saying, Majulah Singapura!

For PM Lee’s May Day Rally speech in full: https://www.pmo.gov.sg/Newsroom/PM-Lee-Hsien-Loong-at-May-Day-Rally-2024